Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has openly admitted to putting in less defensive effort compared to his teammates. Despite the 26-year-old boasting an impressive goalscoring tally and often being Real Madrid’s key player, his overall contribution has occasionally drawn criticism.
Earlier in the season, manager Xabi Alonso implemented a high-pressing strategy that initially proved effective but started to falter by November. Vinicius Junior and Mbappe were frequently singled out for their perceived lack of defensive participation. Current manager Alvaro Arbeloa has since shifted tactics, stating his preference for Mbappe and Vinicius to conserve energy rather than exhaust themselves with constant pressing.
Mbappe on Defending: “Sometimes It Can Be a Problem”
Shortly thereafter, France coach Didier Deschamps advised journalists to “forget about it” if they expected Mbappe to cover 11 kilometers per match. During an appearance on Aurelien Tchouameni’s podcast, alongside Achraf Hakimi and comedian Malik Bentalha, Mbappe conceded that his defensive workload occasionally presents challenges.
“I am a player who defends slightly less than my teammates, and occasionally, that can indeed be an issue,” Mbappe revealed. “It’s true I do it less, but I’ve observed that when I do contribute defensively, it genuinely makes a difference to the team. At Real Madrid, when I engage, you can see everyone else following suit. I face criticism for this, but it doesn’t bother me because I view it as constructive.”
Can Arbeloa’s Strategy Prove Sustainable?
The pressing question is whether manager Arbeloa can maintain this approach successfully for Los Blancos in crucial fixtures. Previously, the attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius, and Jude Bellingham often encountered difficulties in significant matches under both Carlo Ancelotti and Alonso. Considering Real Madrid appeared more unified and defensively robust against Manchester City in the absence of Bellingham and Mbappe, this debate is certainly poised to resurface.
